Commissioners Court approves displaying memorial for MIA veteran

Published 10:43 am, Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Merrit Lilley served the United States military during World War II and the Korean War, where he was originally considered deceased. His body was never recovered.

Merrit Lilley served the United States military during World War II and the Korean War, where he was originally considered deceased. His body was never recovered.

Photo: JACOB MCADAMS

Commissioners Court approves displaying memorial for MIA veteran

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The Commissioners Court voted and approved a special commemoration to one of San Jacinto County’s veterans in their most recent meeting held on June 24.

Meritt Lilley fought in World War II and the Korean War and is to this day considered by some family members to be missing in action since 1950, although the military counted him officially as a fatality.

Lilley is also the uncle of Pct. 3 Commissioner Thomas Bonds, who accepted the commemoration for Lilley and for Bonds’ second uncle, Lewis Borden Lilley, on the anniversary of the D-Day Invasion. Both Meritt and Lewis Borden Lilley served and fought during this decisive invasion.

American Legion Post 629 First Vice Commander Dale Everitt spoke at the court, beginning by telling Judge Fritz Faulkner and the commissioners of Meritt Lilley’s accomplishments during his service in the military.

Lilley “was awarded seven bronze stars in World War II, fought in Normandy, [the] Battle of the Bulge, went to Czechoslovakia and made it through World War II,” said Everitt. “His unit was sent to Korea in 1950.”

On Dec. 6, 1950, according to Everitt the Chinese overran Lilley’s unit. He was awarded the Silver Star for his actions that day.

“He organized and cleared a road so a column of troops and soldiers could flee to safety and get back out of the Chinese range,” said Everitt. “In the course of him doing this he suffered severe wounds and they took him prisoner.”

The military listed Lilley deceased on Dec. 7, but according to Everitt, this may not have necessarily been the case at the time the events took place.

“His remains have not been found,” he said “We have the family’s DNA on file with the POW MIA groups.”

Everitt showed pictures to the court of a memorial marker, which Post 629 and the Historical commission would work together to erect in memory of Lilley.

“What we’re proposing… is to put, at the Legion’s expense this polished granite marker out near the POW MIA flag,” said Everitt.

Everitt proposed to have the marker placed on the courthouse square where on Aug. 1 Post 629 will have an event to honor Lilley’s memory.

“We’ll pay to move that marker to Precinct 3 if and when [Lilley’s] remains are recovered,” said Everitt.

The court voted unanimously to approve this action.

The Historical Commission also proposed to have the Trade’s Day, which is held on the fourth Saturday of every month, moved to the third Saturday for the month of September.

“It’s the same day as the Rodeo Parade and [the traders] said they make more money that day,” said Amanda Woodson of the San Jacinto County Historical Commission.